Abstract: A local area network (LAN) device pairs with an interne of things (IoT) device via a wireless mesh network and receives a status of the IoT device via the wireless mesh network. The LAN device stores the received IoT status with an IoT device identifier of the IoT device in an IoT device table in memory and detects a shutdown signal to power down the LAN device. Upon detecting the shutdown signal, the LAN device retrieves the IoT device status from an IoT device database in memory and sends the IoT device status to a display device. The set-top box retrieves a control command from a control profile based on received input to control the IoT device and transmits the retrieved IoT device control command to the IoT device via the wireless mesh network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate the dynamic management of the software load at a customer premise equipment device. Software components may be dynamically loaded into volatile memory of a customer premise equipment (CPE) device from a download server or non-volatile memory of the CPE device when an interaction with the CPE device creates a request for the software components. The CPE device may be configured to dynamically unload software components from volatile memory to create space for an incoming software component. The CPE device may identify one or more software components to be removed from volatile memory based upon a calculated probability to unload value for the software components within volatile memory, wherein the probability to unload value for each of the software components is calculated based upon one or more criteria associated with each software component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for recording a program. The method includes storing, in response to a user request, at least one content file that includes first and second program segments that are spliced to form a single program. At least one index file is created and stored. The file index includes program specific information associated with the first and second program segments. The index file also includes an identification of a splice point denoting a transition between the first and second program segments. In addition, a splice index is created and stored. The splice index includes timing information specifying a time at which the splice point occurs.

Abstract: A method includes downloading a playlist file for a multimedia presentation over a network from a streaming server using a transfer protocol, the playlist file including an ordered list of URIs for a plurality of media files, each of the plurality of media files including compressed video data corresponding to a segment of the multimedia presentation and containing reference frames; downloading a data file that includes reference frame information indicating a location of the reference frame in the media file; performing a trick play related to a displaying of the multimedia presentation; selecting, from a plurality of variant streams, a first variant stream for use in displaying the multimedia presentation; and reassembling segments included in media files associated with a first variant stream of the plurality of variant streams to play the multimedia presentation as a continuous stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for streaming multimedia data over a network is provided. A playlist file for a selected multimedia presentation is downloaded by a client device over the network from a streaming server using a transfer protocol. The playlist file provides a list of URIs for media files each providing compressed video data corresponding to a segment of the multimedia presentation. The compressed video data includes reference frames used for video compression. A data file that is associated with the playlist file is also downloaded by the client device over the network from the streaming server using a transfer protocol and provides information identifying a location, a size, and a time stamp for each the reference frames contained in the media files listed by the playlist file. This information can be used by the client device to perform trick plays and to switch and stitch between variant streams.

Abstract: A method of operating a digital video service set top box system is provided. The set top box system accommodates playback of locally stored recorded secondary digital video content. The method begins by initiating playback of a primary digital video program. Insertion points associated with the primary digital video program are detected; these insertion points indicate frame-accurate transition points in the primary digital video program. During playback of the primary digital video program, the recorded secondary digital video program is inserted at any appropriate insertion point in a frame-accurate manner. The termination of the secondary digital video program is likewise marked and triggers a return to the primary digital video program, at the original insertion point or any other desired insertion point which may exist in the primary digital video program.

Abstract: A method of operating a digital video service set top box system is provided. The set top box system accommodates playback of locally stored recorded secondary digital video content. The method begins by initiating playback of a primary digital video program. Insertion points associated with the primary digital video program are detected; these insertion points indicate frame-accurate transition points in the primary digital video program. During playback of the primary digital video program, the recorded secondary digital video program is inserted at any appropriate insertion point in a frame-accurate manner. The termination of the secondary digital video program is likewise marked and triggers a return to the primary digital video program, at the original insertion point or any other desired insertion point which may exist in the primary digital video program.

Abstract: A home gateway (102) includes a receiving component (106), a reformatting (109) component, a transcoding component (107), and a transmitting component (110). The receiving component (106) can receive an emergency alert system message in a first format. The reformatting component (109) can output a reformatted emergency alert system message in a second format, wherein the reformatted emergency alert system message is based on the received emergency alert system message. The transcoding component (107) may transcode content of the received emergency alert system message. The transmitting component (110) can transmit a notification, based on the reformatted emergency alert system message, to a client device (104).

Abstract: A method and computing device that provides viewer impression data for a recorded digital video stream. The method receives a digital video stream as a series of segments, and stores it as a recorded digital video stream having a transition between two consecutive segments at a transition position. The method stores a notification tag that is associated with the transition, and that includes a tag position in the recorded digital video stream, a notification mode, and tag data. During playback of the recorded digital video stream, the method generates a play mode status event, and generates a transition notification when the playback encounters the notification tag and, based on the notification mode, the transition associated with the notification tag. The method collects viewer impression data for one of the two consecutive segments from the play mode status event and the transition notification.

Abstract: A home gateway (102) includes a receiving component (106), a reformatting (109) component, a transcoding component (107), and a transmitting component (110). The receiving component (106) can receive an emergency alert system message in a first format. The reformatting component (109) can output a reformatted emergency alert system message in a second format, wherein the reformatted emergency alert system message is based on the received emergency alert system message. The transcoding component (107) may transcode content of the received emergency alert system message. The transmitting component (110) can transmit a notification, based on the reformatted emergency alert system message, to a client device (104).

Abstract: A computing device for providing Advertisement Decision Management services to a subscriber network that connects display devices. The computing device acquires a network program media stream associated with a network service from a provider network, delivers the network program media stream to a display device connected to the subscriber network, and collects usage data for the display device. When the computing device detects an advertising opportunity in the network program media stream, it selects an advertisement to fulfill the advertising opportunity, delivers the advertisement to the display device at the start time of the advertising opportunity, and delivers the network program media stream to the display device at the end time of the advertising opportunity. To select the advertisement, the computing device either requests the advertising opportunity from an advertisement server, or retrieves the advertisement from local data storage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for streaming multimedia data over a network is provided. A playlist file for a selected multimedia presentation is downloaded by a client device over the network from a streaming server using a transfer protocol. The playlist file provides a list of URIs for media files each providing compressed video data corresponding to a segment of the multimedia presentation. The compressed video data includes reference frames used for video compression. A data file that is associated with the playlist file is also downloaded by the client device over the network from the streaming server using a transfer protocol and provides information identifying a location, a size, and a time stamp for each the reference frames contained in the media files listed by the playlist file. This information can be used by the client device to perform trick plays and to switch and stitch between variant streams.

Abstract: A method and computing system for seamlessly inserting a local audio clip into a primary audio stream. The method sends the primary audio stream to an audio output port, and determines main parameters for the primary audio stream. The method receives a request to insert an encoded local audio clip, locates an insertion point in the primary audio stream that coincides with an end of a frame boundary, and identifies a best matching encoded local audio clip for the main parameters. The method receives and sends the best matching encoded local audio clip to the audio output port, stores the primary audio stream in a buffer while sending the best matching encoded local audio clip, and resumes the sending of the primary audio stream when the sending of the best matching encoded local audio clip is complete.

Abstract: A method is provided for downloading software to first and second devices. A request is received for a service that is to be implemented on the first and second devices and which is to be interoperable between the first and second devices. An identification of the first and second devices is received. Based in part on the identifications that are received, a first software image is identified for implementing the service on the first device and at least a second software image is identified for implementing the service on the second device such that the first and second images implement the services on their respective devices in a manner that is interoperable with one another. The first software image is provided to a first download server configured to download software images to the first device over a first communications network.

Abstract: A method of modifying a digital data stream composed of a sequence of frames, where each frame represents an image and includes a data field specifying a presentation time stamp value for the frame. If there is a discontinuity in presentation time stamp value between a next frame and a first frame, a value representing a stream time stamp of interest is assigned to a variable for representing the value of the stream time stamp of interest at a point of discontinuity in presentation time stamp, and a value of the presentation time stamp is assigned to a variable for representing the first frame's clock time based on presentation time stamp, and the next frame is stored in a database using as an index the value representing a stream time stamp of interest.

Abstract: A method and computing device that provides viewer impression data for a recorded digital video stream. The method receives a digital video stream as a series of segments, and stores it as a recorded digital video stream having a transition between two consecutive segments at a transition position. The method stores a notification tag that is associated with the transition, and that includes a tag position in the recorded digital video stream, a notification mode, and tag data. During playback of the recorded digital video stream, the method generates a play mode status event, and generates a transition notification when the playback encounters the notification tag and, based on the notification mode, the transition associated with the notification tag. The method collects viewer impression data for one of the two consecutive segments from the play mode status event and the transition notification.

Abstract: A method of processing a sequence of coded video frames conveyed by a digital data stream, where each frame represents an image, includes receiving the sequence of coded video frames at a recording device, determining a frame interval between presentation of an ith coded frame of the sequence and an (i+1)th coded frame of the sequence, calculating a stream time stamp for the ith coded frame, and calculating a stream time stamp for the (i+1)th coded video frame based on the stream time stamp for the ith coded video frame and the previously determined frame interval.

Abstract: A switched digital video (SDV) system and method that provides a seamless transition when tuning a set-top box from a first SDV service to a second SDV service. The method detects a set up service trigger in a content stream before a tune request time to transition the content stream from the first SDV service to the second SDV service, and sends a request to set up the second SDV service at a time before the tune request time, where a time difference between the time and the tune request time is greater than a service set up time for the second SDV service. The method detects a tune request in the content stream for the second SDV service, sends a service select request to tune to the second SDV service, and receives the second SDV service at the tune request time.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing targeted advertisements in a switched digital video system. The method monitors a content stream associated with a channel selected by a subscriber, where the content stream includes an advertisement segment having a start time and an end time, and an advertisement replacement opportunity inserted in the content stream. The method detects the advertisement replacement opportunity at a detection time that is prior to the start time of the advertisement segment, and sends a request to select an advertisement replacement for the advertisement segment, thereby broadcasting a service associated with the advertisement replacement prior to the start time for the advertisement segment. The method receives tune data to identify an advertisement replacement stream associated with the advertisement replacement, and tunes to the advertisement replacement at the start time for the advertisement segment.

Abstract: A Download Control Message instructs a set-top terminal in a cable television system to located and immediately begin downloading a code or other data object available over the cable system. The Download Control Message specifies, for example, the size, name, version and location (URL or transport stream and PID) of the object to be acquired by the set-top terminal. The terminal accordingly can begin immediate acquisition of the object. An address or other characteristic associated with the Download Control Message allows the system operator to target the Message to a particular set-top terminal or group of terminals.